New Shelter Director Meets Public

Familiar Faces

September 15, 1995|By NANCY LASTRINA; Courant Columnist Nancy Lastrina, an Enfield native, collects news about residents of north central Connecticut for this column, which will appear on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please send contributions to her at The Courant, 101 Phoenix Ave., Enfield, CT 06082. The phone number is 253-5722 and the fax number is 741-7174.

Community representatives, clients, volunteers and clergy had a chance to meet Robert Kay, the new executive director of the Network Against Domestic Abuse Tuesday.

Kay, formerly the manager of the family service center at the Springfield Action Commmission, succeeds Karen Jarmoc.

He said he does not plan major changes at the Network, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in October.

``I think it is a very strong agency, doing a terrific job,'' Kay said.

``Our major concern is to find the financial support to enable us to do what we've done all along.''

He said he was pleased by the widespread community support for the emergency shelter, 24-hour hotline, counseling services and court advocacy program.

Jane Gness, president of the Network board, said the reception was to introduce Kay to Enfield.

``It's rather unique to have a man working on women's issues,'' she said. ``It gives us some balance and some credibility with the community.

Kay is not the only male affiliated with the Network. On the board of directors are: Enfield Police Chief Ronald Marcotte, John Faucette, James Howarth, Somers First Selectman Robert Percoski and Frank Poirot.

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Jessica Lynn Natches, daughter of Peter and Audrey Natches of Stafford Springs, was named to the dean's list for the spring 1995 semester. She is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences at New York University.

Another daughter, Alyssa Anne Natches, received an honors with distinction award for the 1994-95 school year at East Catholic High School. She also received several outstanding achievement awards at the school's annual academic banquet.

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The following Enfield High Speed Youth Track team members collectively won more than 50 gold medals at the Junior Olympics competition held recently in New Haven:

Katherine Mack and Jennifer Tyo, both of Suffield, have each been awarded a $600 scholarship from the Suffield Council for the Arts.

Tuition grants to Suffield students attending the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts were awarded to Katie Alaimo, Marissa D'Andrea and Mike Moreau. Each grant was for $250, awarded by the Suffield Council for the Arts.

Cannon, who served as president for four years, was commended by the council.

The council is interested in those wishing to serve in fund-raising, and as a program coordinator. Call Gaunter at 668-8738.

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Visiting Nurse & Community Care Inc. recently leased space to house a branch office at the Stafford Shoppers Plaza, Route 190 in Stafford.

Ann Pearson, RN, BSN, who now supervises the agency's Coventry branch office, along with staff nurses Gloria Passardi, Susan Shaw and Laurie Tyler, will coordinate a full range of home health care and hospice services for community residents.

A ribbon-cutting and open house at the Stafford office are planned for Oct. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m.

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The executive board of trustees of Johnson Memorial Hospital has dedicated the hospital's boardroom to Dr. James R. Cullen of Somers, in honor of his many contributions to the hospital and community during the past 29 years.

Cullen's family, including his wife, Helen, son James and daughter-in-law Eileen, grandchildren Terry and Shawn and niece Lois DesRosiers, were on hand at a recent ceremony. Two commemorative plaques outside the boardroom were unveiled at that ceremony.

In past years, Cullen was elected a member of the hospital's board, and was elected a trustee of the hospital and a trustee of the Johnson Memorial Corporation.

In 1984, Cullen was elected to the executive board of trustees of the corporation, serving as first vice chairman in 1988 and again from 1990 through the present. He has been a member of the hospital's staff since 1966.

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Ryan L. Earley, son of Richard and Barbara Scavotto Earley of Enfield, has been named to the dean's list of the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University for the 1995 spring semester.

A junior majoring in biology and environmental ecology, he is a 1993 Enfield High School graduate.

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Lisa F. Ferriere of Willington, a student in the University of Connecticut's bachelor of general studies program, was recently awarded a scholarship by UConn's Division of Extended and Continuing Education.

Ferriere was selected to receive a Gall/Roper Scholarship based on her outstanding academic record, as well as extensive volunteer work with Grace Episcopal Church, the Willington Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and Willington and Bolton public schools.

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Rebecca Gemme, 12-year-old daughter of Rick and Melanie Gemme of Suffield, has been chosen to represent the state at the Quarter Horse Congress show in the National Youth Activity Team Tournament. The event will be held next month in Columbus, Ohio.

The Quarter Horse Congress is the largest single-breed horse show in the nation, with entrants from all over the world. She will compete with her horse, Miss Poppy's Heart.

Rebecca is one of only four youths in her age group to be chosen to represent the state.